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Abstract
The tattoo phenomena is expanding rapidly among young people, all around the world: the process of tattooing
involves the repetitive piercing of the skin with ink-filled needles, with the use of different types of pigment, like Azo
ones. These azo-pigments are used for printing, painting of cars and staining of various consumer products. These
pigments may contain titanium dioxide for lightening the shade, precursors and by-products of pigment synthesis, as
well as diluents that are used for pigment suspension.
We presented a clinical case of a 35 years old woman with 2 week history of itching allergic dermatitis presenting
with heat, erythema and scaling appeared in the area of a colored tattoo on her shoulder 2 months after tattooing.
Lesions where localized in the orange pigmented areas.
We did a Patch test of SIDAPA series that resulted negative. Special series F.I.R.M.A. for tattoo was positive
for aminoazobenzene-p 0.25% (++2) and phenylenediamine base-p 1%. Aminoazobenzene cause orange pigment.
We performed local infiltration of triamcinolone acetonide, with temporary resolution of clinical manifestation.
Keywords: Tattoo; Aminoazobenzene; Allergy; Contact dermatitis We presented a clinical case of a 35 years old woman presented
to our department with 2 week history of itching, allergic dermatitis
Dear Editor presenting with heat, erythema and scaling in the area of a colored
It is estimated that more than 24% of American adults have one tattoo on her shoulder (Figure 1A). These lesions developed 2 months
or more tattoos, and the practice is gaining social acceptability and after tattooing.
is becoming more popular also in Italy. In the past, tattooing was General physical examination was normal. Cutaneous examination
common among male military personnel; however, today, the practice revealed erythematous lesions localized to the orange pigmented areas.
is equally common in lay men and women. In Italy this phenomenon is
less extensive than America, but definitely on the rise compared to the The patch test was performed using the standard series SIDAPA.
past, especially among adolescents. It result negative. So, we decide to execute special series F.I.R.M.A.
for tattoo (copper sulphate 1% water, dimetilaminoazobenzene-p
The process of tattooing involves the repetitive piercing of the 1%, aminoazotoluene-o 1%, blue scattered 3 1%, blue scattered 124
skin with ink-filled needles, which results in a permanent imprint of 1%, yellow scattered 3 1%, orange scattered 3 1%, red scattered 1 1%,
a design. Azo-pigments are frequently used for tattooing because of gentian violet 2%, cadmium chloride 1% in water, nichel sulphate 5%,
their color intensity and longevity. These azo-pigments are primarily iron chloride 2% in water, potassium dichromate 0.5%, chromium
manufactured for other purposes such as printing, painting of cars and trichloride 2%, aminoazobenzene-p 0.25%, cobalt chloride 1%,
staining of various consumer products. These pigments usually contain aluminum chloride 2%, titanium dioxide 0.1%, zinc 2.5%, mercury
titanium dioxide for lightening the shade, precursors and by-products chloride 0.05% in water, kathon cg 0.01% in water, phenol 0.5%,
of pigment synthesis, as well as diluents that are used for pigment ethylenediamine hydrochloride1%, phenylenediamine base-p 1%,
suspension. formaldehyde 1% in water, phthalic anhydride 1%, rosin 20%, dibutyl
phthalate 5%, hexamethylenetetramine 1%, benzophenone 5%).
Our patient showed positive patch test reaction to
aminoazobenzene-p 0.25% (++2) and phenylenediamine base-p 1%
(Figure 1B). Aminoazobenzene cause orange pigment.
We propose to our patient to remove tattoo with laser therapy, but
she refuses it. So, we performed local infiltration of Triamcinolone
J Allergy Ther
ISSN:2155-6121 JAT an open access journal Volume 4 • Isse 6 • 1000159
Citation: Tammaro A, Cortesi G, Abruzzese C, Narcisi A, Orsini D, et al. (2013) Allergic Contact Dermatitis from Aminoazobenzene in Tattoo. J Allergy
Ther 4: 159. doi:10.4172/2155-6121.1000159
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Decide to inject a pigment on your skin deserves great attention, 8. Thum CK, Biswas A (2013) Inflammatory Complications Related to Tattooing: A
even more so choose the pigments to be used. We recommend that you Histopathological Approach Based on Pattern Analysis. Am J Dermatopathol .
always perform a patch test before making a tattoo. 9. Biswas A (2011) Pseudoepitheliomatous tattoo reaction. Diagn Histopathol 17:
272-274.
J Allergy Ther
ISSN:2155-6121 JAT an open access journal Volume 4 • Isse 6 • 1000159